Violence against women is
one of the sharp indicators of the subordinate position of women in the society.
Violence exists in different forms, different levels from personal to physical
violence to structural violence, justified by religion, culture and laws. Most
of the steps taken from the protection of women against violence tend in
addressing the women rather than men. These steps don’t enforce laws or take
action against men.

The women issues are
political issues. The social paradigms don’t recognize this. The ideology and
culture don’t recognize the women as political beings.

Violence against women has
always existed in Afghanistan. Violence is commonplace in the daily lives of the
Afghan women, however it escalates during racial or political violence when
other groups also entered the conflict. In time of crisis (political economic or
community strife), the family tends to exert greater control over women, there
is a state and social repression of women, and an increase in violence against
women.

In a
conflictive situation like that of Afghanistan, all forms of violence have taken
the shape of political violence. Furthermore, the lack of any law and order has
made it impossible to categorize violence committed against women as social,
religious, cultural, racial or political. Conflicts affect men and women
differently, putting increased burdens on women, has led to the increased
oppression of women by the families and society.

Legal aid is non-existent
for Afghan women. The authorities of a particular area usually have their words
as laws written in stone, never to be changed and obeyed by all. Violence
against women, be it physical or political, is high. There have been times when
women were imprisoned and used as sexual slaves and later their body parts were
removed one by one as the women still lived and finally the remains of the body
was disposed in the streets. War and anarchy produced the trafficking of women
across the country. The women of Afghanistan have not come a long way from these
times. They have gained security from such atrocities at a price of being
confined to the limitation of their homes.

Background:

Afghanistan is a small
country which is situated in Central Asia. It is one of the poorest and the most
underdeveloped nation of the world. The majority of the inhabitants practice
Islamic faith, with a greater part of them belonging to the Sunni
sect.

The
country is home to many different ethnic groups and tribes. Although the
different ethnic groups have co-existed for centuries, their attitude and
behavior has not been necessarily friendly towards each other. The ethnic groups
suffer a large degree of differences between each other. The religious,
cultural, social and political behavior of these ethnic groups differ from one
another.

The
political and power scene of the country has always been dominated by a single
ethnic group. This position has been held by the Pushtoons since the last two
centuries. The dominant ethnic group has either deliberately or un-deliberately
tried to enforce its own culture, religion and ethics on the sub-ordinate
groups. This situation has often given rise to permanent and prolonged conflicts
which have played a major role in hampering the progress of
Afghanistan.

The Afghan society still
follows the primitive codes of conduct set since prehistoric times, for e.g. the
patriarchal system of families. The women in Afghanistan have extremely low
secondary status to men. Because Afghanistan is a multi-racial country, it is
therefore multicultural, with some tribes following their own codes and
ethics.

Dictatorship and
misinterpretation of religion have given limited rights to women. However, 30 to
35 years ago, partial democracy was introduced into the country and a
constitution was drawn up in which women were allocated limited rights. Under
this change in the constitution women were granted the freedom of obtaining all
forms of education, and they could contest and participate in
elections.

Having easy access to
education, the women living in cities made rapid progress. But unfortunately,
those living in the rural areas could not avail the opportunity given by the
constitution.

After the invasion of the
Russians in the country, the constitution lost its efficiency and a state of war
and havoc settled among the nation. Countries interested in Afghanistan for
various reasons began to fight a proxy war between each other to which some
emerged as winners at the expense of the Afghan nation.

After the fall of Dr.
Najib’s regime, complete anarchy settled over the country and fundamentalists
acceded to the country’s control. The change resulted in an increase in the
cases of violence against women whether it be social, political or physical.
Insecurity and endless anarchy created discontentment among the population
paving the ground for the emergence of the Taliban.

Emergence of
Taliban:

The Taliban (literally
meaning religious students) stepped into the congested and unstable political
scenario of the country nearly two years ago. Their presence was noted first in
the areas of the Kandahar province bordering Pakistan. The emergence of the
Taliban was followed by a series of rapid military victories which carried them
right through and made them the unchallenged rulers of almost 2/3 of
Afghanistan. In the beginning the people were generally content with the Taliban
administration since they introduced the much needed security and peace into the
area.

There is
no doubt that no war can be fought inside Afghanistan without external support.
The same must be true in the case of Taliban. However, the question of whose the
hand behind the Taliban is a subject of much debate.

Present Situation
and the Women Right Issues:

Currently Afghanistan is
divided into three political regions:

• North and Central
Afghanistan: This area is administered by the union of General Dostum’s Uzbek
militia and the Hazara Dominated Hezb-e-Wahdat party.

• North-East: A cluster of
a few provinces represent the total administered area of the ousted Government
of President Rabani.

• West-Southern and East:
This area is administered by the Taliban.

Women living in the first
instant live in a much more liberally administered area. Here education is
freely accessible to women and they can participate in jobs without much
restriction.

In
the areas administered by the Taliban, peace and security is maintained
according to the strict provisions of the Islamic law or "Shariah".
Unfortunately, the "Shariah" is interpreted as total obscurity of women from the
society. They have issued strict order that women should not venture out of
their homes without the cover of the veil and under no circumstances they may be
allowed to participate in jobs. Educational institutions for girls have been
closed and the admission of female students in prohibited in any institution
irrespective of the level.

These restrictions
inflicted by the Taliban are a direct measure that is intended for limiting the
activities of the women inside the walls of their homes. The women of
Afghanistan on various instances have expressed their dissatisfaction at the
social oblivion to which they are being subjected. The women who have dared to
defy the above restrictions have been subjected to harsh beatings or warned of
dire consequences and chastisement.

Conclusions:

Bearing in mind that after
the years of killings which have plagued Afghanistan, the country has not more
than a few cases of widows and families whose only bread winners are women.
Under conditions where the Taliban have enforced their rules, such families are
condemned to starving to death since the women are under no circumstances are
allowed to participate in jobs. Furthermore, the banning of girls from being
educated is also a violation of the basic human rights which entitle every human
being to the right of being educated.

The above two instances
portray only a small part of the picture in which the rights of the women are
being constantly and deliberately being violated through sheer force. Silence
against such a tyranny is nothing less than performing the act itself. The
Afghan women are increasingly becoming aware of their rights and social status.
They have realized the important role which they will be playing in the
reconstruction of their country therefore they intend to fight for their rights
until they gain the respect of the society which they deserve. Support for this
cause is absolutely essential and can be provided by the outright condemnation
of these violations of the human rights.